Synbiotic is a nutritional supplement that contains both prebiotic and probiotic. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms, while prebiotics are foods that help the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut. In the study, dietary intervention with fruits and vegetables and/or synbiotic supplementation with be administered to Hong Kong Chinese subjects for eight weeks. Changes in the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota, and markers indicative of obesity, chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction will be assessed throughout the whole period. This study will further provide a scientific basis for the intake of synbiotics for reducing the risk of overweight and obesity among Hong Kong Chinese. Furthermore, the results will bridge to further research into the most desirable gut microbiome profile, hence facilitating personalised nutrition for optimal health.
This is an 8-week randomized controlled dietary interventional trial.The objectives of this study include: * To investigate the effects of synbiotic supplementation and/or dietary intervention with fruits and vegetables on gut microbial diversity and composition, and on inflammation, metabolic functioning, overweight and obesity among Hong Kong Chinese * To study whether the changes in gut microbial diversity and composition upon the interventions in Hong Kong Chinese are correlated with metabolic functioning and inflammation, as well as overweight or obesity
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
100
Daily supplementation of synbiotic
Increased fruits and vegetables consumption
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin, Hong Kong
Change in body weight at week 8 compared with baseline
Body weight in kilogram
Time frame: Week 0, 8
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) at week 8 compared with baseline
BMI = Body weight (in kilograms) divided by square of body height (in meters)
Time frame: Week 0, 8
Change in body fat percentage at week 8 compared with baseline
Body fat percentage is assessed by bioimpedence
Time frame: Week 0, 8
Change in fasting glucose at week 8 compared with baseline
Fasting glucose in mmol/L
Time frame: Week 0, 8
Change in fasting insulin at week 8 compared with baseline
Fasting insulin in pmol/L
Time frame: Week 0, 8
Changes in fasting lipids at week 8 compared with baseline
* Triglycerides in mmol/L * Total cholesterol in mmol/L * HDL-cholesterol in mmol/L
Time frame: Week 0, 8
Use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the changes in the composition of the gut microbiota (bacteriome) of stool samples at week 8 compared with baseline
The composition of the gut microbiota (bacteriome) of stool samples is assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing
Time frame: Week 0, 8
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